PROBATION FOR ‘CHARLIE BROWN’

Man who voiced ‘Peanuts’ character as a child had faced up to 3 years for criminal threats and stalking

San Diego 
A former child actor who voiced the “Peanuts” character Charlie Brown in the beloved cartoons of the 1960s was placed Wednesday on probation for five years for threatening his girlfriend and stalking a La Jolla plastic surgeon.

Peter Robbins, 56, pleaded guilty last month to felony charges of making criminal threats and stalking. He faced a possible prison sentence of up to three years.

San Diego Superior Court Judge Dwayne Moring ordered Robbins to serve a year in county jail — he already has credit for 220 days — but said he can be released from custody immediately if he goes into a residential treatment program to deal with his substance abuse and mental health issues. He said Robbins would have to remain in residential treatment for at least eight months.

As part of his plea, Robbins agreed to a 10-year protective order involving the plastic surgeon, meaning he is not allowed to contact her during that time. The other victim, Robbins’ now ex-girlfriend, did not request a stay-away order.

The judge warned Robbins that he could face prison time if he violates the terms of probation. Borrowing a line from the “Peanuts” cartoons, he said: “Don’t be a blockhead.”

Robbins, who lived in Oceanside, was arrested Jan. 13, after a Hotel La Jolla restaurant manager said he’d skipped out without paying for his meal. Police arrested him in connection with the threats against Dr. Lori Saltz.

He posted bail the next day but was arrested again about a week later at the San Ysidro Port of Entry. Authorities learned that he was wanted by the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department for making threats against his 33-year-old girlfriend.

On Dec. 31, Carlsbad police responded to a report of domestic violence between Robbins and the girlfriend at a motel. Robbins demanded that the girlfriend get a refund on her breast augmentation surgery, done by Saltz, a prosecutor said at a previous hearing.

Deputy District Attorney Elizabeth McClutchey said Robbins grabbed his girlfriend and pushed her against a door, leaving a mark on her neck.

According to court records, a threatening note signed with Robbins’ name and credit card number was left on the door at the La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre, where Saltz practices. The note read: “I will break you in half today, and all the king’s men won’t put you back together again.”

He also called Saltz’s answering service and left a message saying she needed to bring $12,000 to a hotel by midnight or he would kill her.

Authorities said Robbins left 45 phone messages for the girlfriend. U-T San Diego has not published the woman’s name because she is an alleged victim of domestic violence.

Robbins said he regretted the fear that he caused his victims, and he is committed to getting treatment for his alcoholism and addiction to prescription medication. He said treatment was the first step in becoming the “fun-loving and respectful person I was and hope to be again.”

His lawyer, Kristin Scogin, said her client was willing to comply with the judge’s orders, including paying more than $15,000 restitution to the doctor and completing a 52-week domestic violence program after he’s finished with drug treatment.